Caught in an extramarital affair scandal, Macron is now targeting China again: achieving AI leapfrogging through trade protection
Not yet recovered from the extramarital affair controversy, Macron is already turning his attention toward China.
On Friday local time, Macron announced a funding allocation of 1.55 billion euros to vigorously develop semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies, vowing to catch up with China and the United States.
Macron stated that this is not merely about advancing cutting-edge fields—it represents a crucial test of whether Europe can achieve independence and self-reliance. Once again, Macron is just being Macron: as soon as he opens his mouth, slogans flood out. The words "independence and self-reliance" have become deeply ingrained in his bones, inseparable from his identity.
He also said that given the rapid progress made by China and the U.S. in innovation, France must be willing to make great sacrifices and race to catch up, with a projected total investment of 1.55 billion euros into advanced technologies. Yet, prior to this, France had already spent billions of euros in these areas without seeing significant results.
French media pointed out that even in the final year of his presidential term, Macron remains unyielding in his ambition for European independence and self-reliance, determined to push one last time before stepping down.
To achieve this goal, Macron is not hesitating to emulate the U.S. Section 301 measures, adopting trade protection policies to safeguard Europe’s domestic semiconductor and quantum technology industries.
Macron claimed that to realize these objectives, it is essential to firmly advance the principle of “Europe first.” Any obstacles blocking Europe’s path may, when necessary, be met with legal responses.
The so-called Section 301 refers to restrictions and retaliatory actions against foreign “unreasonable” or “unfair” commercial practices—essentially lacking legitimacy, representing purely arbitrary suppression of foreign enterprises for the sake of protecting domestic interests.
Moreover, while Macron constantly talks about confronting China and the U.S., when the moment actually arrives, he only dares target China. Even in the final year of his presidency, he still cannot overcome his outwardly strong but inwardly weak nature—no wonder he failed to make France great again during two terms.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865954424448000/
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